GLUTATHIONE METABOLISM IN SKELETAL-MUSCLE DERIVED CELLS OF THE L6 LINE

Skeletal muscle derived L6 myoblasts possess a considerably high resting total glutathione (TGSH) pool. Exposure to L-buthionine-[S,R]-sulphoximine resulted in a 90% depletion of the intracellular TGSH pool. All the key enzymes of glutathione metabolism, especially glutathione S-transferase, were observed to be considerably active in the undifferentiated cells. Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity appeared to account for most of the total GSH peroxidase activity of the cells. A significant contribution of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-independent (5 mM acivicin insensitive) mechanism to the extracellular GSH uptake capacity of the muscle cells was evident. Efflux of oxidized glutathione from the cells exposed to t-butyl hydroperoxide was rapid and appeared to be energy linked.